Hot Rods Converting '55 Chevy 12 V starter to 6 Volt

Has anyone converted a '55 Chevy V8 12 V starter to 6 Volt?

 

Why not convert the car to 12 volt?

 

What are you building? If it's an honest to God 1955 starter with the external solenoid linkage, there are probably older 6 volt Delco starters that you could bolt the Chevrolet starter nose to.

 

Well lets cut out the bs and find out exactly what the hell you are attempting to do so one of us can come up with a reasonable answer for you.
Mainly: what engine?
What vehicle?

If you are putting a later 235 in a 54 or earlier Chevy you just use the 139 tooth six volt flywheel and the six volt starter and be ******** done with it. 6 volt have 139 tooth ring gears and 12 volt 235/261 have 168 tooth ring gear.

 

Because I didn't find an answer on how to actually do it. Suggestions like use Brand X model Armature and Field Coils would be helpful.

 

My go to Auto electric guy who could do it if it could be done retired and closed his business several years ago. He is on the Hamb but I don't know if he ever checks in. As he didn't answer one way or the other I'd have to believe that you are wanting to do something that may not be possible.
When I took my apprenticeship test with the Seattle union hall for Auto Mechanics in 1967 I couldn't answer one quiestion on the three pages of rewinding starters and genrators but still got the highest score in the group I took the apprenticeship test with. Then I got drafted before I started work.
I'm going to asume that you do not have a 235 or 261 six that would be pretty simple as I said in post 4.

 

because there is no way to do it.

 

Cut it in half

 

...long ways, or across?

 

Across.
Then re-attach the end. It needs that bearing
Of could just remove 1/2 the brushes.

 

Why in the hell does it matter "why" someone wants to do something? It doesn't matter, it's none of your damn business "why"! Can't someone post a question and get an answer without all the ********? This is just like going into a big name auto parts store for a part and they ask you every question in the world that has nothing to do with what you're after. Think about it, that's exactly what you're doing. So cut the bs and answer the question or shut the hell up already.

Moderators, if you want to delete this post please feel free to do so. But it needed to be said.

Larry

 

I don’t get asked questions at the parts store.

I give em part numbers


The question has been answered by one of the smartest guys on the board in the first thread about the subject and this one.

That person has stated they tried it.
Ive got both starters at my shop. They look physically different

 

The other thread, I believe it was said is a ‘53? Chevy.
Not that it matters…

 

So maybe we can mention what it takes to convert to 12 volts.
Off the top of my head:
Battery
Headlights
Marker/tail/turn signal lights(I think the 6 v sockets will accept 12 volt bulbs.
The dash lights, use a voltage reducer, Runtz , Ford or Mopar reducer from the 70’s
Generator
For the heater motor, size 12 volt motors that will interchange. Or (I don’t like them) the large ceramic reducers.
Change coil to 12 volts, add ballast resistor.
May involve a different ignition switch, unsure what was used in the ‘53? Chevy.
Anything else?

Oh, 12 volt regulator.

 

It doesn't need a different ignition switch as you can use the correct push ****on starter ****on if going from stomp pedal to a solenoid starter. Put the starter ****on under the dash out of sight and in easy reach and the guy riding with you won't know you did anything except turn the key. Or use a tractor floor mount starter ****on and the stomp pedal pedal piece on the floor in the original spot.

 

I was out of line and I apologize. I was having a sh!tty day, I got on the HAMB and that was the result. Again, I apologize.

I know what the problem is, the problem is I don't know enough about cars, engines, starters, etc to know that these questions need to be answered in order to accomplish the task.

Larry

 

There's been quite a few swaps and conversions over the years said to be impossible that I figured out the solution to. And many of those I'll take the info to my grave after telling a guy how to bolt up a built 400 sbc to a five speed from a 2.5 four cylinder with the advice of either not doing it or at least take it super easy. He did it and beat on it and then tried to blame me for the carnage lol

 

I saw that more than once when the sbc in an S-10 swap was the hot lick. I watched a guy with a strong small block and too much tire destroy one while doing a show off burn out in front of a group of rodders back then.

 

Dude was really mad because he had to buy two or three clutch kits to make it work. Even though I told him it'd frag the trans lol

 

If you figure out how to convert a 12v Chevy starter to 6v, please let me know. It would be interesting to see, and I'd learn something

 

I honestly haven't owned a 6v starter since I turned the original starter from my 53 in as the core for the Wilson reman starter for my 283 in 2020 lol. Mainly that comment was more of a reinforcement of just because someone can do it doesn't mean it should be done. Of course if someone wanted to donate a 6v 235 starter I could compare parts to my original 57 starter lol

 

How about a 6 volt starter, spend $$$ on a special flywheel / flex plate.

or just covert to 12volts

 

Sometimes, the question asked will determine the calibre of the answers......

 

If you want 12 volts just for the starter ,12 volt battery wired to starter and 12 volt gen/alt , then from 12 volt isolated circuit to converters , but most are for 10:amp circuits, but larger may be out there. I can’t think offhand of any older car , but I don’t Remember headlight requirements

 

here https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/6-volt-small-block-chevy.523751/
Go ahead and do it [please post back your results]

 

^^^^^ No conclusion since his famous last words.